Light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool, for example a water polo field

ABSTRACT

A light demarcation system applicable to a predefined area of any water surface, such are being delimited by a bottom portion and by a pair of longitudinal walls and a pair of transverse walls of a length suitable for defining a water polo field, wherein the pair of transverse walls have a length smaller than the pair of longitudinal walls. The light demarcation system comprises one or more light profiles, each made up of a plurality of sequentially arranged light elements, in predefined positions inside and/or outside of the water polo field, and an electronic control system operatively connected by wireless or wired connectors to the light profiles for management of the operation of the light profiles.

The present invention refers to a light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool or in a general water surface, in particular but not exclusively a light system for demarcating a water polo field.

The current rules defining the water polo rules provide for that the dimensions of the field, usually obtained within a substantially rectangular-shaped swimming pool, should measure 30 metres long and 20 metres wide in terms of men's water polo, and 25 metres long and 20 metres wide in case of women's water polo. The minimum depth of the water should not, at any point of the field, be less than 1.8 metres, preferably 2 metres. The water temperature, in Italy, should not be lower than 25° C. in any field. Lastly, the light intensity should not be lower than 1500 lux.

The goal line, the midfield line, the penalty area line (5 metres from the goal) and the line marking 2 metres from the goal should be clearly marked, using buoys or signals of any other type, on each of the two greater sides of the field. The signals must be clearly visible during the entire duration of the match. In particular, the signals must be marked using the following colours:

-   -   white: goal line and midfield line;     -   red: line marking 2 metres from the goal line;     -   yellow: line marking 5 metres from the goal line.

On each of the greater sides of the field, in proximity of the goal line, there are provided raised boards for the match officials, so that the match officials can be aware of their position, instant by instant, the position of the players and the position of the ball as a function of the coloured signals mentioned above. Actually, it should be observed that water polo rules are similar to the basketball rules in force, with a maximum duration of the play during ball possession.

Current coloured signals are however not always clearly visible by the match officials, and they are often difficult to identify for the spectators following the match, especially when seated on the stands far from the field. Furthermore, the duration of the offensive play is usually shown by a shot clock display positioned at the side of the pool, which is not always in visual line with the game play both for the match officials and for the spectators.

Another drawback of the current coloured signals is bound to the impossibility of displaying the ejection phase of a player and the relative ejection time. According to the current rules the ejected player is required to go to a special delimited area of the field, technically referred to as “ejection area”, with the possibility to return into the field upon termination of the ejection time. With the current coloured signals such phases are not always clearly understandable by the spectators.

A general object of the present invention is thus that of providing a light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool or in a general water surface, in particular but not exclusively a light system for demarcating a water polo field, that is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in an extremely simple, inexpensive and particularly functional manner.

In detail, an object of the present invention is that of providing a light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool, in particular but not exclusively a light system for demarcating a water polo field, capable of allowing the match officials to efficiently control the position of the players and the ball during any match phase, as well as being aware when the time conceded for offensive play is about to run out.

Another object of the invention is that of providing a light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool that is also clearly visible by all spectators present on the stands positioned around the swimming pool.

Another object of the invention is that of providing a light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool that is particularly versatile, thus being capable of adapting to any modification of the rules regulating the sports activities occurring inside the swimming pool.

Still another object of the invention is that of providing a light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool that can be stepped on, entirely water tight and possibly removable after the sports event.

These objects according to the present invention are attained by providing a light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool, particularly but not exclusively a light system for demarcating a water polo field, as outlined in claim 1.

Further characteristics of the invention are observable from the dependent claims, which are an integral part of the present description.

Characteristics and advantages of a light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool, particularly but not exclusively a light system for demarcating a water polo field, according to the present invention shall be more apparent from the following exemplifying and non-limiting description with reference to the attached schematic drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swimming pool to which a first embodiment of the light demarcation system according to the invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a swimming pool to which a second embodiment of the light demarcation system according to the invention is applied;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating a plurality of possible applications of the light demarcation system according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of some possible applications of the light demarcation system according to the invention, with reference to the first embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of some possible applications of the light demarcation system according to the invention, with reference to the second embodiment of FIG. 2.

With reference to the figures, a light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool according to the present invention is shown. The light demarcation system is of the type applicable to a swimming pool 10 constituted by a substantially rectangular-shaped pool, with a pair of longitudinal walls 12 and a pair of transverse walls 14 having length smaller than the length of such pair of longitudinal walls 12. The light demarcation system may be conveniently applied to a water polo field replacing the current signals provided for by the official rules in force. Generally, the light demarcation system is configured to be applied to a predefined area of any water surface, formally delimited by longitudinal walls 12 and by transverse walls 14 of length suitable for defining a water polo field.

The light demarcation system comprises one or more bands or light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 each made up of a plurality of sequentially arranged light elements, applicable in predefined positions inside and/or outside the swimming pool 10 or the water polo field. Each light element of the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 may be conveniently constituted by watertight LEDs (light emitting diodes). However, there can be provided light elements of any other type depending on the specific technical requirements and/or the official rules in force.

Preferably, the light demarcation system according to the invention provides for the application of light profiles 16, 18 arranged parallel to the transverse walls 14 of the swimming pool 10 and along the entire extension of the bottom portion 20 of the swimming pool 10. A first light profile 16, provided with light elements for example red-coloured, may be positioned at a distance of 2 metres from each transverse wall 14 or from each goal, while a second light profile 18, provided with light elements for example yellow or green coloured, may be positioned at a distance of 5 metres from each transverse wall 14 or from each goal. The colour of the light elements is not clearly bounding and it may vary both according to the technical requirements and according to the modifications of the official rules of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) and the various national federations. For example, there may be used the so-called “multicolour” LED, in which a forward voltage difference is capable of varying the colour.

The light demarcation system according to the invention may also provide for the application of light profiles 26, 28 arranged parallel to the longitudinal walls 12 of the swimming pool 10 (FIG. 3), preferably on the surface or slightly above the water surface, so as to reinforce the visual demarcation offered by the transverse light profiles 16, 18. The light demarcation system according to the invention may also provide for that part of the light profiles 30 arranged parallel to the transverse walls 14 of the swimming pool 10 be arranged at the bottom of the goals of the water polo field (FIG. 3). The fact of marking the bottom of a goal with a light profile 30, with switching ON and simultaneous operation to the light profiles 18 which mark the offense half field lines, contributes to the clear comprehension of the match phases, even due to the fact that the eyes of the spectators are usually directed towards the goal.

The light demarcation system according to the invention may lastly provide for the application of light profiles 32, suitably shaped to form a rectangle (FIG. 3), at predefined areas of the water polo field, intended to accommodate players temporarily ejected from the game. The function of such substantially rectangular light profiles 32 would thus be that of correctly highlighting the aforementioned areas.

The light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 may be both applied on the bottom portion 20 of the swimming pool 10 and be made to rise along the longitudinal 12 and/or transverse 14 walls so that, in the case in which there is a water polo match going on in the swimming pool 10, such light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 are visible not only for the match officials, but also for the spectators watching the match. Conveniently, should they be made to rise along the longitudinal 12 and/or transverse 14 walls of the swimming pool 10, the light profiles 34, 36 (FIGS. 4 and 5) may also protrude vertically from the water over a predefined length section, replacing the current plastic buoys placed on the side of the swimming pool 10 for a greater visibility. The light vertical profiles 34, 36 placed outside the swimming pool 10 can be adjusted height-wise and also be installed in several positions, such as for example near the referee's catwalk, on the overflow channel grid or generally on the edge of the swimming pool 10. The lighting functions of such vertical light profiles 34, 36 are the same as those of the light profiles 16, 18 respectively placed at 2 metres and at a distance of 5 metres from each transverse wall 14 or from each goal.

The light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 may preferably be of the flexible type for a better adaptation to the conformation of the bottom portion 20 and/or of the longitudinal 12 and/or transverse 14 walls of the swimming pool 10. Such light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 could however be constituted by elements of another type, such as for example rigid luminous pipes (not shown), in particular but not exclusively as regards the portions of the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32 that project from the water.

In case of application to a water polo field, one of the light profiles 16, with red-coloured LEDs, may be conveniently positioned transversely with respect to the field to highlight the line placed at a distance of 2 metres from each goal or goal line, while another of the light profiles 18, with yellow or green-coloured LEDs, may be conveniently positioned, still transversely with respect to the field, to highlight the line placed at a distance of 5 metres from each goal or goal line. The colours of the LEDs or, generally, of the light elements which form the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 shall not be deemed limiting and can however be changed, for example according to the development of the rules regulating water polo matches.

According to a possible embodiment of the light demarcation system according to the invention, the light profile 16 placed at a distance of 2 metres from each goal or goal line is preferably configured to always remain ON. The light profile 18 placed at a distance of 5 metres from each goal or goal line is instead preferably configured to operate according to two distinct operating modes. A first operating mode provides for that the light profile 18 placed at a distance of 5 metres from each goal or goal line remains ON for the first 25 seconds of the play going on in proximity of the penalty area. A second operating mode, subsequent to the first operating mode, provides for that the light profile 18 placed at a distance of 5 metres from each goal or goal line, which remained ON and yellow-coloured for the first 25 seconds of the play, becomes red and intermittently ON for the last 5 seconds of the play going on in proximity of the penalty area, so as to signal the imminent expiry of the time conceded for the offensive play. Alternatively, the last 5 seconds of the play going on in proximity of the penalty area may be signalled by a light cursor of predefined length (not shown), which slidably moves on the light profile 18 placed at a distance of 5 metres from each goal or goal line or on any other light profile selected according to the specific technical requirements and/or official rules in force.

The light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 are operatively connected, by means of a suitable communication line of wireless or wired type, to a control electronic system which comprises an electronic control unit 22. In turn, the electronic control unit 22 is operatively connected to an electronic processor 24 capable of managing the operation of the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36. Alternatively, the electronic control unit 22 may be constituted by a component, of the hardware or software type, integrated in the electronic processor 24.

In water polo, when one of the two teams, for example team A, is on the offensive phase, it has 30 actual seconds to complete the action. In such situation, according to a preferred operating mode of the light demarcation system according to the invention, the operator of the electronic processor 24 actuates a first control for activating—still in ON mode—both the light profiles 16, 18 placed in the half field of team B and the light profiles 26, 28 arranged parallel to the longitudinal walls 12 of the swimming pool 10, fixed on the perimeter grid/floor and facing towards the spectators and the cameras. At the twenty-fifth second of the offensive play by team A, the operator of the electronic processor 24 actuates a second control for intermittently activating, for 5 seconds, the light profile 18 placed at 5 metres from the goal of team B and both light profiles 30 arranged behind the goals. The countdown may be set automatically or manually.

This operation allows displaying, both to the public and to the players in the field and during the defensive play as well as the offensive play, that the action is about to terminate. The blinking action is extended to all the portions—vertical and horizontal, in water and outside the water—of the light profiles 18, 30 in question.

At the end of the 30 overall seconds, the electronic control unit 22 of the light demarcation system switches OFF all the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, so as to offer the match officials a clear sign that the play time in the half field of team B has expired. At this point the operator of the electronic processor 24 actuates, through a third control, the switching ON of the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28 placed in the opposite half field, i.e. the half field of team A. Analogously as outlined above, upon reaching the twenty-fifth second of the offensive play by team B, the operator of the electronic processor 24 actuates a fourth and last control for intermittently activating, for 5 seconds, the light profile 18 placed at 5 metres from the goal of team A and the light profiles 30 arranged behind the goals. Also in this case, at the end of the 30 overall seconds, the electronic control unit 22 of the light demarcation system switches OFF all the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, so as to offer the match officials a clear signal that the offensive play time in the half field of team A has expired.

In summary, the operator of the electronic processor 24 may be provided with four different controls for the four operations described above. It can also be provided for that the software installed on board the electronic processor 24 allows alternating, with only one control, first the switching ON of the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30 arranged in one of the two half fields, then the change of colour and intermittent operation after 25 seconds and lastly the switching ON of the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30 placed in the other half field. A connection between the electronic control unit 22 with the seconds counter which regulates the match time may automatically activate the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30 in the intermittent operating mode. Such connection may also allow the interruption of the counting for the maximum duration of the offensive play where provided for by the rules, for example for stoppage time. Other signalling systems with the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, such as for example the intermittent operation of the light profile 16 placed at a distance of 2 metres from each goal or goal line, instead of that of the light profile 18 placed at a distance of 5 metres from each goal or goal line, in the last 5 seconds of the play are obviously allowed.

When a player is ejected, the operator of the electronic processor 24 actuates the substantially rectangular light profiles 32 adapted to demarcate the so-called ejection areas, which are lighted by a red light. In the meanwhile the 20 seconds ejection time countdown starts. Upon reaching the fifteenth second of the ejection time, the electronic control unit 22 of the light demarcation system switches the red light of the substantially rectangular-shaped light profiles 32 from fixed to intermittent.

At the end of the 20 overall seconds of the ejection time, the electronic control unit 22 of the light demarcation system lastly switches the intermittent red light of the substantially rectangular-shaped light profiles 32 into a fixed green light. At this point the ejected player or players may return into play.

All the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 may be activated by the electronic control unit 22 so as to be contemporarily go ON, for example at the beginning of the match, when introducing the teams, for entertainment purposes. In addition, still for entertainment purposes, all the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 may be activated by the electronic control unit 22 to generate various types of light effects, for example for livening a water polo match during match stoppage times.

All the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 may be installed on the bottom portion 20 and/or on the longitudinal 12 and/or transverse 14 walls of the swimming pool 10 in a fixed manner, or they may be applied on the bottom portion 20 and/or on the longitudinal 12 and/or transverse 14 walls of the swimming pool 10 in a removable manner, so as to be able to transform the swimming pool 10 or the general water surface into a water polo field according to the requirements, for example in case of official competitions that provide for the presence of match officials. In case of application in a removable manner, the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 may be applied—at the lower part—on a windable membrane made of plastic material, which will be spread on the bottom portion 20 and/or hung on the longitudinal 12 and/or transverse 14 walls of the swimming pool 10 starting from the edge of the pool and which will be fixed on the bottom portion 20 using weights, suction cups or with any other suitable fixing means. The means for fixing the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 are however configured for perfectly adhering to any surface, allowing the stability of the light signals also in case of possibly being stepped on.

According to the first embodiment of the light demarcation system according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the light profiles 16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 are obtained continuously, with all the relative light elements adjacent to each other. Instead, according to the second embodiment of the light demarcation system according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, at least one of the light profiles, for example the second light profile 18 placed at a distance of 5 metres from each goal or goal line in case of application to a water polo field, may be obtained discontinuously, i.e. with all or part of the relative light elements separated by empty spaces of predefined length.

The light system for demarcating a field in a swimming pool of the present invention as conceived can in any case be subjected to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the same inventive concept; furthermore, all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may vary depending on the technical requirements.

The scope of protection of the invention is thus defined by the attached claims. 

1. Light demarcation system applicable to a predefined area of any water surface, said area being delimited by a bottom portion (20) and by a pair of longitudinal walls (12) and a pair of transverse walls (14) of length suitable for defining a water polo field (10), said pair of transverse walls (14) having length smaller than the length of said pair of longitudinal walls (12), the light demarcation system being characterised in that it comprises: one or more light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36), each made up of a plurality of sequentially arranged light elements, applicable in predefined positions inside and/or outside the water polo field (10); and a control electronic system (22, 24) operatively connected, by means of a suitable communication line of wireless or wired type, to said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) and capable of managing the operation of said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) according to one or more predefined operating modes.
 2. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that said control electronic system (22, 24) comprises an electronic control unit (22), operatively connected to said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) by means of said communication line, and an electronic processor (24), operatively connected to said electronic control unit (22).
 3. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that each light element of said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) is constituted by light emitting diodes (LEDs) and it is water tight.
 4. Light demarcation system according to claim 3, characterised in that each light element of said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) is a so-called “multicolour” light emitting diode (LED), wherein a forward voltage difference is capable of varying the colour.
 5. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 30, 34, 36) are applied parallel to the transverse walls (14) of the water polo field (10), a first transverse light profile (16, 34) being positioned at a distance of 2 metres from each transverse wall (14) and a second transverse light profile (18, 36) being positioned at a distance of 5 metres from each transverse wall (14).
 6. Light demarcation system according to claim 5, characterised in that said first transverse light profile (16, 34) is provided with light elements with colour different from the colour of the light elements of said second transverse light profile (18, 36).
 7. Light demarcation system according to claim 5, characterised in that part of the light profiles (30) applied parallel to the transverse walls (14) of the water polo field (10) is arranged at the bottom of the goals of said water polo field (10).
 8. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that part of the light profiles (32) is suitably shaped to form a rectangle and it is arranged at predefined areas of the water polo field (10), intended to accommodate the players temporarily ejected from the game.
 9. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 32) are applied on the bottom portion (20) of the water polo field (10).
 10. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that said one or more light profiles (16, 18) are applied both on the bottom portion (20) of the water polo field (10), and along the longitudinal walls (12) of said water polo field (10).
 11. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that said one or more light profiles (26, 28) are applied parallel to the longitudinal walls (12) of the water polo field (10), on the surface or slightly above the water surface.
 12. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that said one or more light profiles (34, 36) project vertically from the water over a predefined length section and they can be adjusted height-wise.
 13. Light demarcation system according to claim 9, characterised in that said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) are installed on the water polo field (10) in a fixed manner.
 14. Light demarcation system according to claim 9, characterised in that said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) are applied to the water polo field (10) in a removable manner.
 15. Light demarcation system according to claim 14, characterised in that said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) are applied—at the lower part—on a windable membrane made of plastic material, which can be unwound on the bottom portion (20) and/or hung on the longitudinal walls (12) of the water polo field (10), starting from the edge of the pool, and which is fixed on said bottom portion (20) using weights.
 16. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of said light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) is configured to always remain ON.
 17. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of said light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) is configured to operate according to two distinct operating modes, wherein a first operating mode provides for that said light profile (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) remains ON for a first predefined period of time and a second operating mode, subsequent to said first operating mode, provides for that said light profile (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) be intermittently ON for a second predefined period of time.
 18. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of said light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) is provided with a light cursor of predefined length which slidably moves on said at least un light profile (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36).
 19. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that said one or more light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) are provided continuously, with all the relative light elements adjacent to each other.
 20. Light demarcation system according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of said light profiles (16, 18, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) is provided discontinuously, i.e. with all or part of the relative light elements separated by empty spaces of predefined length. 